VMware Workstation Pro
VMware Workstation Pro is free desktop virtualization software that runs several operating systems as virtual machines on one PC.
Version: 26H1u1| Developer | Broadcom (VMware) |
|---|---|
| Version | 26H1u1 |
| License | Freeware |
| Operating system | Windows, Linux |
| Interface languages | English, Japanese, French |
| File size | Not stated by the developer |
| Ads / bundled offers | None |
| Last updated | 2026-11-05 |
VMware Workstation Pro is desktop virtualization software from Broadcom, formerly VMware. It creates virtual machines—complete computers emulated in software—so Windows, Linux and other operating systems can run side by side on one PC without rebooting. Long a paid product, it became free for commercial, educational and personal use in November 2024, and no license key is required. Supported hosts, the physical machines that run the virtual machines, are 64-bit Windows and Linux.
It suits developers who want to test operating systems or software without touching their main installation, IT administrators practicing server and network setups, and anyone who needs to keep legacy software in an isolated environment. On the other hand, the installer is available only after registering a free account on the Broadcom Support Portal and signing in, and the interface is offered in English, French, Japanese and Spanish only. Users who occasionally need a single virtual machine may find a tool without a sign-up simpler.
The current state of a virtual machine can be saved as a snapshot and restored at any time. Taking a snapshot before risky configuration changes or software tests makes recovery immediate if something goes wrong.
A full clone copies a virtual machine completely, while a linked clone shares the parent's disk to save space. Several identical test environments can be created without repeating the installation.
Bridged, NAT and host-only networks are available, and the Virtual Network Editor lets users define subnets and DHCP settings. Multiple virtual machines can be wired together to reproduce client-server setups on a single PC.
Virtual machines can be encrypted to keep their files private, and virtual TPM and Secure Boot support allow Windows 11 guests. Version 26H1u1 added automated remediation of the Secure Boot Platform Key (PK).
When Hyper-V or virtualization-based security (VBS) is enabled on Windows, virtual machines run on the Windows Hypervisor Platform; otherwise VMware's own hypervisor is used. This is what allows it to work on PCs that also run WSL2 or Docker Desktop.
Workstation Pro can connect to VMware ESXi servers and perform basic tasks such as powering their virtual machines on and off. Since 26H1, ARM-based ESXi hosts are supported as well.
Snapshots, linked clones, detailed virtual networking, encryption and vTPM give it one of the broadest feature sets among free virtualization tools. Since 26H1 the Windows build is a 64-bit application, and recent guests such as Ubuntu 26.04 LTS are supported.
The New Virtual Machine wizard detects the operating system on an ISO image and fills in sensible settings, so creating a first virtual machine is straightforward. The Broadcom Support Portal sign-up and login required before downloading, however, is a real hurdle for newcomers.
There are no ads or bundled offers, and Broadcom publishes vulnerability fixes through VMware Security Advisories (VMSA). Version 26H1u1, released on September 3, 2026, fixed CVE-2026-59346 and CVE-2026-59347. Because hypervisor flaws can be serious, applying updates promptly is advisable.
| Operating system | Windows, Linux |
|---|---|
| Requirements | Windows 10 (20H1 or later) / 11 (64-bit), 64-bit CPU from 2011 or later, 2GB RAM (4GB recommended) |
Yes. Since November 2024 VMware Workstation Pro has been free for commercial, educational and personal use, with no license key required.
From the Broadcom Support Portal. After creating a free account and signing in, the Windows or Linux installer can be downloaded.
Yes. With Hyper-V or virtualization-based security turned on, it runs virtual machines on the Windows Hypervisor Platform, which requires Windows 10 20H1 (build 19041.264) or later.
No. Workstation Pro is for Windows and Linux hosts; on a Mac, Broadcom's VMware Fusion fills the same role.
It needs a 64-bit x86 CPU launched in 2011 or later, at least 2 GB of RAM (4 GB or more recommended) and about 2.5 GB of disk space. Running 64-bit guests requires Intel VT-x or AMD-V enabled in the BIOS.
VMware Workstation Pro is a strong pick for developers and IT administrators who rely on snapshots and virtual networks, and it now costs nothing even for business use. Its features are excellent, but the Broadcom account required to download, the limited interface languages and the heavy requirements lead to our editor rating of 3 out of 5.
Editor rating 3/5
